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Infanticide and child murder — admissions to the Central Mental Hospital 1850-2000

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2014

Niamh Mulryan ,
Pat Gibbons  and
Art O'Connor
Niamh Mulryan
Affiliation:
Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, Ireland
Pat Gibbons
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, Ireland
Art O'Connor
Affiliation:
Central Mental Hospital, Dundrum, Dublin 14, Ireland
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Abstract

Infanticide and child murders have been known to all civilisations throughout time. This study looks at the problem from an Irish perspective, particularly with regard to the forensic psychiatry service. The case notes and legal files of 64 women admitted to the Central Mental Hospital (CMH), Dublin, between May 1850 and 2000 were examined. This group represents a complete sample of female inpatients charged with these offenses over the 150 year history of the institution. Sociodemographic and clinical data were analysed to provide psychiatric and social backgrounds to the cases. There has been a considerable decrease in the number of women admitted to the CMH on charges or conviction for infanticide and child murder in recent years. It appears that the attitude of the judiciary to these women has altered. The cases are discussed in the context of the prevailing attitudes of the era.

Keywords

InfanticideChild murderHomicideForensic psychiatry
Type
Original Papers
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 19 , Issue 1 , March 2002 , pp. 8 - 12
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2002

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